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DISCOURSE 



DELIVERED 



AT PLYMOUTH DECEMBER 22, 1809, 



CELEBRATION 



^88th ANNIVERSARY 



LANDING OF OUR FOREFATHERS 



IN THAT PLACE. 



BY ABIEL ABBOT, A. M. 

/• 
Pastor of the First Church in Beverly. 



$ BOSTON : 

■PRINTED BY GREENOUGH AND STEBBlx 

1810. 



^S-}'^" 



i) 






DISCOURSE. 



DEUT. XXXll. 11, 12. 

,1S .'LV EAGLE STIRRETH UP HER M'EST, FLUTTERETJI 
OVER HER YOlLNn, SPJiE.}T)KTH ABROAD HER HIjYGS, 
TAKETH THEJr, JiEARETH THEM O.X HER Jl LYG.S ; SO 
THE LORD ALOAT: niD LEAD HLM, AA'D THERE WAS 
ATO STRAA^GE GOD 11 FPU HTM. 

IT is 189 years, since our ancestors stepped 
IVom their shallop upon the rock of Plymouth, to 
achieve an enterprize, the magnitude and importance 
of which to their posterity and mankind we can now 
estimate. A little destitute and distressed parent col- 
ony of one hundred and one souls, by subsequent immi- 
gration and natural population, is become 1,500,000 
of people, spread over five states, of rough yet pro- 
ductive soil, opulent by commerce, and, a circum- 
stance much more important to be remarked, enjoy- 
ing civil liberty and the sacred rights of conscience, 
and maintaining, with some degree of reverence and 
zeal, the principles and institutions, which discrimi- 
nated the character and to enjoy which and trans- 
mit to posterity was the pious and generous object 
of the founders of New- England. 

It is with no common emotions, my respected audi- 
tors, that I have come to the cradle of New- England 
on this occasion, comparing, as T passed, the present 



appearance of an interesting tract of country with 
antient facts and events. Entering this town, every 
step seems on hallowed ground. I see the Hving 
spring, whose waters were so sweet to the pilgrims, 
and the pleasant brook at the foot of the hill, which 
decided the spot of their settlement. Yonder I sec 
the spacious bay, whose surface was enlivened with 
fow^l, and its bosom stored with fish and treasures 
hid in the sand., which they regarded as some as- 
surance against the calamity of famine. We are as- 
sembled on the brow of the hill, which was crowned 
with their dwellings, their fortress, and palisado. Yon- 
der is the repository of their sacred dust ; their names 
are written in heaven. 

While I feel a portion of the virtuous enthusiasm, 
which animates the inhabitants of this antient town 
and parent colony on this joyful anniversary, I feel 
wholly incompetent suitably to direct your reflections. 
The very fruitfulness and interest of the subject create 
difliculty ; and the researches and eloquence of the 
divines and orators, who have enriched your libra- 
ries with their discourses, I perceive have explored 
every topick relating to the grand event and enterprize, 
which you celebrate. 

I hope however you will think me employed suitably 
to the occasion, while I endeavour to disclose the 
means, by which a colony was successfully planted 
upon this spot, at the first attempt ; by a small com- 
pany, half of whom \vere women and children ; arriv- 
ing upon an inhospitable coast, in the wors^ season of 
the year ; slenderly furnished with necessaries ; alight- 



ing upon soil by no means generous ; in a climate not 
the mildest ; weakened by diseases, and reduced in 
three months to lialf their number by death : while a 
much more numerous colony, chiefly or wholly men ; 
conducted by leaders of great enterprize and energy ; 
furnished liberally by a wealthy company ; and pat- 
ronized by government, was several times planted and 
extirpated* in the mild climate and fertile soil of 
\^irginia ; and after twenty years eftbrts not an Eng- 
lishman remained in the territor}\ It is evident, at 
the first view, that the ordinary means of success were 
uidi the colony, which failed; and the difliculties, 
insuperable by common minds, were with the colony, 
which succeeded. What remains for us then but as 
grateful sons of pious sires, who discerned and ac- 
knowledged the divine hand in every incident of their 
settlement, we apply the poetic language of the found- 
er of the Hebrew commonwealth to the founders of our 
own. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, Jluttereth 
(wer her young, spreadeth abroad her zvings, taketh 
them, beareth them o?i her xvings ; so the Lord alone 
did lead him, and there was no strange godivith him. 

In this passage the providence of God, in conduct- 
ing Israel to the land of Canaan, is declared by a figure 
of great beauty and tenderness. Their history illus- 
trates its con^ectness. Moses and Aaron, men mighty 
in words and deeds, led forth that oppressed nation from 
bondage. These men however were but the hands 
of God, with which he performed the enterprize. 
For this purpose, Moses was preserved in the ark of 

* Robinson's Virg. 



bulrushes ; received the education of a prince ; was 
learned in all the ivisdom of the Egyptians ; and, to 
mature his great mind for the enterprize, was driven 
into exile, to spend the season of forty years in quiet 
meditation. These circumstances account for the 
smallest part of his accomplishments; direct commu- 
nication with the Shechinah furnished the rest. In 
contemplating the emancipation of this nation and 
their establishment in the land of promise, it would 
lie impiety to suffer our admiration to terminate in the 
instrument, which was thus furnished, supported, and 
guided in every step by the hand of Providence. 

It is certainly not too much to say that we contem- 
plate a similar case in the settlement of our forefathers 
in New- England. We recognize noble conductors; 
men mighty in words and deeds. They were men 
prepared for the enterprize of planting a religious col- 
ony ; of founding churches in the wilderness ; of win- 
ning the ferocious savage to friendly sentiments and 
offices ; and of recommending to him the arts of civil- 
ized life and the faith and virtues of the gospel. They 
were well prepared to lay the basis of civil freedom, 
and to establish institutions, which should shed a pure 
and benign influence upon their children to the end of 
time. But let not our admiration terminate in these 
wonderful men ; let us gratefully contemplate that dis- 
cipline of God's providence, whicli made them what 
they were ; and that blessing, which crowned their 
arduous undertaking with complete success. 

The first object before us is to consider the means, 
which God in his providence employed, to prepare a 



pious, virtuous and enlightened company to settle 
New-England. 

The Puritans were destined to furnish the several 
colonies, which settled in New-England. This was 
that part of the English clergy and people, which was 
dissatisfied with a partial reformation from popery. 
This is not the time to attempt their history, nor 
to show the progressive steps of persecution and suf- 
fering, which led to their removal to the new world. 

The points in contest between the Puritans and their 
prince and prelates, as they regarded ceremonies rather, 
than doctrines, have been often represented as of little 
importance. But subscription, assent, and consent were 
demanded ; and whether to little or much, the princi- 
ple was the same, and was a grievous imposition upon 
conscience. However, more was probably implied 
in the exaction, than at first view appears. To a few 
things of an indifferent aspect they linked others of 
dissolute tendency. The head of the English church 
was not only ambitious of the splendid vestments and 
ceremonies, but was also covetous of the licentious 
morals of the Papal church. As evidence of this it 
will be sufficient that I present the declaration of king 
James, issued to the bishop of Lancashire, by whicli 
he required him to " present <7//puritans and pre- 
cisians within his diocess ; either constraining them 
to conform, or to leave the country.'''' This rigorous 
order was accompanied by one of the most dissolute 
nature — That " those, who attend on church on 
Sundays, be not disturbed or discouraged from dancing, 
archery, leaping, vaulting, having May games, 7noricc 



dances y setting up May poles, and other sports there- 
with used, or any other such harmless recreation on 
Sundays after divijie service. ^^^^ This declaration he 
commanded should be published by order from the 
bishop of the diocess through all the parish churches. 
All those ministers who refused to read this royal 
licence to profane the Sabbath, were summoned to the 
tribunal, imprisoned, and suspended. 

This persecution was not confined to one reign ; it 
raged for half a century. " Many of the most eminent 
of the Puritan clergy were deprived of their benefices, 
others were imprisoned, several were fined, and some 
put to death. A new tribunal was established under 
the title of the High Commission for ecclesiastical af- 
fairs, whose powers and mode of procedure were 
hardly less odious or less hostile to the principles of 
justice, than those of the Spanish Inquisition. "f 

The rights of the dissenting people were also invad- 
ed with the same violence, as those of their ministers. 
The Parliament, tamely obsequious to the unconstitu- 
tional commands of the Sovereign, " consented to an 
act, b}' which every person, who should absent himself 
from church during a month, was subjected to pun- 
ishment by fine and imprisonment ; and if, after con- 
viction, he did not within three months renounce his 
erroneous opinions and conform to the laws, he was 
then obliged to abjure the realm ; but if he either re- 
fused to comply with this condition, or returned from 

* Prince's Ncw-Eng. Chron. p. 56. 
f Ilobiiison's History of North America, page 144. 



banishment, he should be put to death as a felon, with- 
out benefit of clergy."* 

In this brief narrative, ^ve see the wrath of man ; 
but it is made to praise God, as it selects and disci- 
plines the instruments of a grand design. From the 
imposition attempted upon conscience, our forefathers 
learned to respect its rights ; from the violence and 
indignity offered to their persons, they learned to think 
justly of the sacred nature and value of freedom. 
And the very attempt by public authority to sanction 
sports, profane on the Sabbath, and of licentious ten- 
dency at any time, induced them to think with the 
deeper concern of the importance of morals in them- 
selves and their children. For it is the effect of per- 
secution to drive the subjects of it to the greatest dis- 
tance from the principles and temper of their perse- 
cutors.! 

Under the pressure of circumstances like these, the 
little band of pilgrims formed in England and fled to 
Holland. To this assembly I need not rehearse the 
unparalleled sufferings, which attended their removal ; 
they are recorded in the books of your church, and 
have been often heard and oftener read. After various 
disasters brought upon them by treachery, by the 
scorn of the proud, the brutal violence of the multi- 
tude, the exaction and indignities of unfeeling magis- 
trates, the distress of unexpected and involuntary 
separation, and the perils of the sea, wrought into tem- 
pest, they blessed God for their arrival in a land of 
freedom. 

* Robinson's North Am. p. 145. t S«e Appendix, note 1- 



B 



iO 

In Holland they enjoyed a season of peace. But 
the blessing cost them much ; fugitives from oppres- 
sion, they had made the sacrifice of their possessions, 
and felt the hard hand of poverty upon them in a land 
of strangers. But for this they were compensated by 
peace of conscienee and joy in the Holy Ghost. If 
other things were sCiinty, they had a religious feast 
in the able ministry of Mr. Robinson, the prudent 
government of Mr. Brewster, and in the sweet satisfac- 
tion of uninterrupted social and religious intercourse 
with each other. Their church settled into order; 
increased in numbers, and improved in gifts and 
graces ; and the congregation became numerous by 
fresh emigration from England. 

The ultimate happiness of the children of Israel was 
deeply concerned in their temporary residence and 
wanderings in the wilderness, as it afforded opportu- 
nity for the delivery of the law from mount Sinai and 
for the institution of the Mosaick economy, and was 
a season of divine 'discipline to prepare an obedient 
people to settle in the land of promise. So the pil- 
grims in Holland became settled in their principles, 
decided in their modes of government, inured to the 
hardships of a strange land, knit together in love, and 
gradually prepared for an enterprize, which demanded 
rare virtues and habits. Their leaders were ever in- 
tent upon the moral worth and christian perfection rath- 
er than the ease and affluence of their precious charge ; 
and when dangers to the former threatened them in 
the metropolis, they fled with them to Ley den. 



11 

To the leading men of this religious band, destined 
to be the founders of empire, Providence, by a con- 
currence of events, furnished singular advantages for 
improvement. The republic, recently dismembered 
from Spain, was divided into two rival factions. 
These agitated subjects of great interest both theolog- 
ical and political. In the church Episcopius and 
Polyander were able polemicks, and in the state, Mau- 
rice and Barnevelt. These controversies in a land of 
freedom and toleration were a school to the pilgrims. 
As strangers they modestly declined entangling them- 
selves with parties. But when respectfully solicited 
and repeatedly urged by a professor in the university 
and the ministers of the city, Mr. Robinson maintained 
a publick disputation with the Arminian Professor in 
the presence of a very numerous assembly, in which 
his friends considered him as victorious and rising into 
high respect. 

An experienced civilian,* who addressed you on a 
former occasion of this kind, and reviewed the first 
essay of civil polity, attempted by our forefathers, con- 
siders them as having been deeply interested in the 
ardent discussions of the theoretick principles of gov- 
ernment, and to have been " assisted to form accurate 
ideas, concerning the origin and extent of authority 
among men, independent of positive institution. And — 
That the instrument on board the may flower testi- 
fies that the parties to it had anticipated the improve- 

* The Hon J. Q. Adams, Esq. 



12 

ment^'* which their native country was halt' a century 
after tliem in attaining.* 

The result of these observations is that it was a most 
wise arrangement of Divine Providence, in preparing 
the apostles and civil fathers of the new world, to in- 
struct and exercise them in Holland. 

It was very natural that this pious and enlightened 
congregation discovered the infelicity of their situation, 
as a permanent residence, and looked abroad for one, 
where, secluded from the corruptions of old cities, 
they might bring up their families in christian purity 
of principles and manners ; a situation, to which the 
thousands of aggrieved brethren in England might 
resort, who had not courage to encounter the poverty 
and hardships to which they were subjected in HoU 
land. They looked with a wishful eye to this inhospit- 
able wilderness. Undaunted they saw a dreary coast 
opening its arms to invite them. They had been too 
long accustomed to sufferings, to be deterred by the 
prospect of hardship. They were willing to go for- 
ward as a forlorn hope, and prepare the way for sin- 
cere but less resolute friends of incorrupt Christianity, f 
And this charitable sentiment for friends in England 
was seconded by a noble sentiment of humanity to 
the natives of the wilderness. To carry the gospel 
to the heathen was an object, very agreeable to theb" 
apostolick zeal. They were soon decided, and con- 
certed measures for their removal. 

* A recurrence to other early political institutions in this colony and paiticulai-ly 
to the admirable declaration oi' rights in 1636, will demonstrate an enlightened 
policy almost without a parallel. 

■}■ See Appendix, note 'Id. 



13 

As it has been my object to show how wisely 
Divine Providence prepared an incomparable band of 
colonists to establish civil and religious institutions in 
the new world, which were to h&\e a durable influ- 
ence upon the happiness of miHions, let us pause in 
the narrative to consider a *ew testimonies of their 
character and virtues. If tliey be familiar to you, 
they are interesting, and cannot be too often repeat- 
ed to the sons, if they may be induced to emulate 
such sires. 

Mr. Cushman and Mr« Carver were sent as agents 
to negotiate with the Virginia company in England, 
and to sue to the king for liberty of conscience in a 
Transatlantick wilderness. Their conduct on the occa- 
sion is thus reported by Sir Edwin Sandys — " That 
they had carried themselves ivith that discretion^ as is 
both to their own credit and theirs from whom they 
came.'*'' But one who knew them intimately, and he 
an Israehte indeed in whom was no guilcy thus sums 
up the character of the whole congregation. "1. JVe 
verily believe and trust that the Lard is with us ; to 
whojn and whose service we have given ourselves in 
many trials^ and that he will graciously prosper our en- 
deavours according to the simplicity of our hearts. 
2. We are well weaned from the delicate milk of our 
mother coimtry^ and inured to the difficulties of a strange 
land. 3. The people are for the body of them indus- 
trious and frugal^ we think we may safely say^ as any 
company of people in the world. 4. fFe are knit to- 
gether as a body in a most strict and sacred bond and 
covenant of the Lord ; of the violation whereof we 



14 

make great conscience^ and by virtue -whereof we hold 
ourselves straitly tied to all care of each others good^ and 
of the whole. 5. And lastly it is not with us as with 
other men, whom small things can discourage, or small 
discontentments cause to wish at home again* 

A short time before they left Holland, the magis- 
trates from the seat of justice gave them this noble 
testimony. Addressing the Walloons who were of 
the French church, they say — These English have 
lived among us now these twelve years, and yet we never 
had one suit or action come against them ; but your 
strifes and quarrels are cojitinuaL-\ 

But the virtuous pilgrims need not epistles of com- 
mendation from the old world ; their best eulogy are 
their deeds, their sufferings, and their virtues in the 
new. 

I pass over the series of disappointments and dis- 
couragements; which embarrassed and delayed the 
pilgrims in Europe, and the disasters and deliverances 
of their passage ; that I may have time to consider 
the smiles of Providence, attending their settlement 
on this spot. In this fruitful particular, which has 
been copiously discussed by others, I will study 
brevity. Our attention is arrested, 

1st. By those judgments of God, which swept off 
the old inhabitants to prepare a safe residence for the 
new. 

The most judicious historians state that nineteen 
twentieths of the Indian population, from Narragansett 
to Penobscot, were extinguished by a war, which rag- 

* Prince p. 51, '2. f Morse and Pnrish. 



15 

ed in the east, and by a pestilence, thought to have 
been the yellow fever, which spread over the whole 
country. It is particularly remarkable that of the 
tribe, which occupied the spot of the Plymouth set- 
tlement, one native alone survived, and his friendship 
^nd services as an interpreter w^ere of essential im- 
portance to the colony. Our forefathers were des- 
tined to the Hudson, on whose banks were a numer- 
ous and warlike people ; but Providence overruled the 
treachery of the hireling captain to bring them to the 
spot, which was prepared for them. Shall we not re- 
cord this circumstance in the grateful language of the 
Psalmist — We have heard with our ears and our fa- 
thers have told us^ what work thou didst in their days^ 
in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the 
heathen with thy hand and plant edst them ; how thou 
didst afflict the people aiid cast them out. For they 
got not the land in possession by their own sword, nei- 
ther did their oxvn arm save them ; but thy right handy 
and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, be- 
cause thou hadst a favour unto them. Ps. xliv. 1, 2, 3. 
Notwithstanding this waste of native population, 
there remained thousands of dangerous neighbours. 
They were predisposed to hostility, for they had re- 
ceived injuries ; and these Indians seldom forget or 
forgive. The infamous Hunt had enticed on board 
his vessel twenty natives from the tribe, which occu- 
pied the very spot, on which our forefathers settled, 
and seven more from the Nausites, a neighbouring 
tribe, and had sold them for slaves in Spain. Some 
of them had made their escape back to their coun- 



1« 

trymen and doubtless excited them to vengeancfe. 
Twenty canoes of them attempted to vent their in- 
dignation upon the first English vessel, which appear- 
ed upon their coast. And a few months only before 
the arrival of our forefathers, captain Dermer landing 
on the coast with his men, the natives fell upon him 
with great fierceness. The captain received from 
them fourteen wounds, and lost all his men, except 
one, who kept the boat. Therefore, 

2dly. We must regard, as a peculiar smile of Prov- 
idence, that awe of the strangers settling in their 
neighbourhood, with which the natives were im- 
pressed. 

When they were but a few men in number^ yea very 
Jew and strangers in the land; he suffered no man to do 
them wrong ; yea he reproved kings Jbr their sakes^ 
saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets 
no harm,^ 

A smile in Providence on the pilgrims, which was 
to their drooping minds, as the light of the mornings 
when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds, was, 

3dly. The first interview and the league with Mas- 
sasoit, at the foot of this hill. 

The interview was a charming display of dignity, 
simplicity, and affection. The powerful Sagamore 
appears on yonder hill with a life guard of sixty men. 
The governor sends the faithful Winslow to solicit 
him to conference. He detains the messenger as a 
hostage in the hands of his brother, and descends to 
the brook with twenty men, who, to create confidence, 

* Ps. cv. 13, 14, 15. 



17 

leave their bows and arrows behind them. A httle 
band of musketeers meet and sakite him at the brook 
and conduct him to the apartment of state, decorated 
with a green rug and cushions. Then instantly the 
governor is ushered in with beat of drum and sound 
of trumpet. After salutations the governor kisses the 
hand of the Sagamore, and the Sagamore returns the 
affectionate compliment. The governor entertains his 
guest with refreshments, and they agree in a league 
of friendship. The governor attends him to the 
brook, and they affectionately embrace and part. 

If we consider the circumstances of the colony at 
that moment, half their number already dead, and of 
the living, not more in health, than were required to 
perform the escort op the occasion ; and, on the other 
hand, consider the deadly enmity to every thing Eng- 
lish, prevailing through all the tribes ; in this conven- 
tion, obtained with Massasoit, can we see less than 
the merciful interference of that great Arbiter, who 
turneth the king's hearty as the rivers of water ^ whith* 
ersoever he will. If that treaty had not been adopted 
or had been soon violated, which was in force and 
without infraction fifty four years ; or if the ferocious 
and implacable heart of Phillip the son, had been in 
the gentle bosom of Massasoit the father, humanly 
speaking, the little colony must inevitably have been 
extirpated. God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb. 
He curbed the darling passion of the savage, the pas- 
sion for war ; and though conspiracies were often at- 
tempted, and the lowering storm seemed often ready 
to break over their heads, it was delayed, till the con- 
c 



18 

federate colonies were able to meet and subdue the 
combined forces of the whole countr}^ 

In contemplating the history of our forefathers, re- 
plete with interesting incidents, one man discerns and 
eulogizes the prudence of the governor ; another the 
intrepidity and conduct of the captain ; and a third is 
of opinion that secondary characters among them are 
entitled to equal admiration, and that they would have 
commanded it, if their lot had raised them higher into 
notice. What forbids us to agree with them all, and 
to derive from their united opinions a very pleasing 
evidence of the providence of God, 

4thly. In the combination of such rare talents and 
virtues in the establishment of so small a colony. By 
what means in providence this was eifected, it has 
been the object of much of this discourse to dis- 
close. And now were there time remaining, proper 
for me to occupy, it would be a delightful employ- 
ment to illustrate this point by observing those wor- 
thies, Robinson, Cushman, Carver, Bradford, Winslow, 
Brewster, Standish, in their several offices and arduous 
enterprizes. We would follow the adventurous Wins- 
low, travelling forty miles through hostile tribes, to 
comfort, and, blessed be God, to save the almost dying 
Massasoit. We would attend their Washington hi 
his excursions for corn and his more serious expedi- 
tions with his army of 8, of 14, or of 20 men, and 
observe a vigilance, which the wiliest savage could 
never surprize, a courage, which numbers could never 
intimidate, and a humanity, which never shed a drop 
of blood beyond his commission, or which treachery 



19 

and the dangers of the colony did not demand. On 
these and other occasions we should see the men and 
means, which, under God, Won and secured the friends, 
and awed the turbulent enemies of the colony into 
sullen forbearance. 

It was a difficult task to preserve peace without ; 
was it less difficult to preserve content within the lit- 
tle colony, under distresses inconceivable ? For a mo- 
ment take a survey of those huts of the forefathers. 
Each is a hospital, except that medicine and atten- 
dance are wanting. You see them pinched with hun- 
ger, crippled with scurvy and rheumatism, burning with 
fevers, and consuming with hectick. But perceive you 
any disorder ? hear you a single murmur ? are there 
any mutual reproaches ? cast they a wishful eye back to 
their native country ? There is nothing of this ; but 
here is a scene, which shows how well the Pastor knew 
his flock, and how just were those predictive words — 
It IS not -with us as with other men^ whom small 
things can discourage, or small discontentments cause to 
wish at home again. You see here nothing less than 
that, which supported martyrs in the flame and on 
the rack, the mighty strength of religious principles. 
You see here the fruit of the many sermons and pray- 
ers of an incomparable pastor, and of the exhorta- 
tions of a venerable elder, enforced by the blessing 
of God. What these were we may judge by some 
admirable fragments, which have been preserved, and 
by one entire sermon, delivered on this spot within a 
year from the landing by Mr. Cushman. This whole 
discourse of a layman has so close an aspect to the 



20 

circumstances and engagements of the auditor s^^ is so 
admirably adapted to promote self-denial, christian af- 
fection, and patriotick enthusiasm in suffering and 
doing every thing necessary to the success of their 
grand design, and, if there was a selfish idler among 
them, to sting him into exertion in the common 
cause, that it is a noble monument of the strong pow- 
ers, enlightened zeal, and christian principles, embo- 
somed in the infant colony. 

Will you indulge me in a few reflections. 

1. In the first place, while we contemplate the 
footsteps of his providence in this interesting range 
of history, in what an amiable view is the Divine Be- 
ing presented to our minds ? He is not here seen, 
as some would represent him, on an exalted throne, 
encircled with rays of glory, reposing in slothful 
majesty, the mere spectator of the works he hath 
made, resigning every thing to the direction of gen- 
eral and fatal laws. No ; he is seen as a father in the 
midst of his family ; provident of their welfare ; not 
indeed always fondly indulgent to their present wish- 
es ; but concerting means, rugged and painful per- 
haps, yet the best to insure their greatest ultimate 
perfection and happiness. As members of the New- 
England family, with what admiration ought we to 
to review those early acts of God's providence, the 
influence of which are seen and felt at this hour. For 
half a century, the great Husbandman was preparing, 
selecting, and, with his fan in his handy was winnow- 
ing the precious seed, with which this land was plant- 

* See Appendix. Note 3. 



^21 

ed ; tliat precious seed, which our fadiers went forth 
weeping and bearings viz. die principles of civil and re- 
ligious freedom, the doctrines, virtues, and habits, 
which grow out of them, and the simple and impres- 
sive institutions, which are calculated to perpetuate 
them. We, except we be religious idlers, we reap 
the rich harvest, rejoicing and bringing our sheaves 
with us. Let our hearts glow on this occasion with 
grateful sentiments to our fathers, but ultimately and 
chiefly to the God of providence. 

2. While we admire, let us emulate our forefa- 
thers in that, which was their grand object. 

Religion was the object of all their cares, and to 
that one point all their measures in England, Holland, 
and America had reference. It was religion in 
its pure spirit and substantial, selfdenying duties, 
which they regarded. They sought Jirst o/'c// things, 
and to the neglect of all other, the kingdom of God 
and his righteousness. Houses and lands they literally 
forsook^ brethren and sisters, fathers and mothers, 
wives and children, for Chrisfs sake and the gospels ; 
nor counted their lives dear to them, so that they 
tnight win Christ. We inherit the land and institu- 
tions of such fathers ; it becomes us with much so- 
licitude to enquire whether we inherit their excellent 
spirit. Let us not, with degenerate Jews, content 
ourselves with saying, TVe have Abraham to our father, 
nor think that we. ha\ e done enough, when we have 
built the tombs of the prophets, and garnished the sep- 
ulchres of the righteous. These things become us ; 
but other things arc more necessary ; viz. that weim- 



itate their virtues ; that our hearts glow with similar 
affections, and beat with like zeal ; that we delight in 
the same ordinances, and take up our cross, whatever 
it be, and follow Christ. These things, as they are of 
infinite importance to ourselves, so are they the very 
recompense, Avhich our fathers desired and hoped their 
sons would render them from generation to gener- 
ation. 

3. Let us respect and cherish liberty of conscience, 
which was a prominent cause of the emigration of 
our ancestors. They purchased it at a great price. 
All the delights implied in that dear word, home^ 
they resigned ; all the inconveniences of dwelling in 
a strange land they cheerfully encountered ; and the 
hardships of a wilderness with incredible fortitude they 
endured, that they might enjoy this blessing and trans- 
mit it to us. And now let there be no subtle Jacobs 
to purchase, and no profane Esaus to sell the birth- 
right. Inflexibly let us adhere to the simple princi- 
ple, which they supported. No test of truth, norubrick 
of worship, but the Bible ; and living in a country 
settled on such a principle, and by such ancestors, let 
us frown on every attempt to bring us into bondage 
to lords secular or spiritual. And, 

4. Let us emulate our ancestors in laborious re- 
searches after divine truth. Their laymen were di- 
vines, and their divines champions. They studied 
the scriptures and were mighty in them ; yet did not 
imagine that they had already attained, or were already 
perfect. The learned Robinson himself was con- 
scious that he had not explored the whole truth. He 



23 

venerated Luther and Calvin, but regarded them as 
only commencing the work of detecting errors, which 
had crept into the church in the time of papal dark- 
ness. When parting with his spiritual children, that 
were coming to America, this was his solemn ad- 
dress to them — '' I charge you before God and his bless- 
ed angels that you follow me no farther than you 
have seen me follow the Lord Jesus Christ. If God 
reveal any thing to you ^ by any other instrument of his, 
be as ready to receive it, as ever you were to receive 
any truth by my ministry ; for I am verily persuaded 
— / am very confident that the Lord hath more truth 
yet to break forth out of his word. For my part I can- 
not sufficiently bewail the condition of the reformed 
churches who are come to a period in religion, and will 
gOy at present, no farther than the instruments of their 
reformation. The Lutherans cannot be drawn to go 
beyond what Luther saw : whatever part oj his will 
our good God has revealed to Calvin, they will rather 
die than embrace it. And the Calvinists, you see, 
stick fast, where they xvere left by that great man of 
God, who yet saw not all things.^'' 

5. Finally ; it becomes us to lay to our hearts the 
conviction that the same means, which established an 
infant colony, are essential to the preservation and 
happiness of the million and half of people, into 
which it is grown. 

To that guardian Providence, which covered the 
heads of our fathers, let us humbly look for protec- 
tion from a thousand dangers, against which wealth 
and numbers and human prudence alone cannot de- 



84 

fend us. But can we look up with the same serene 
confidence as our fathers ? Is the state of our coun- 
try, or of our congregations such as answers to the 
description of the pilgrims in Holland? Is there the 
same ardent piety, generous love, and delightful com- 
munion ; full assemblies, receiving xvith meekness the 
engrafted word, and crowded tables with grateful 
tears celebrating the dying of their Lord ? And, my 
respected brethren, teachers and ensamples of the 
(look ; breathe we the large spirit of the enlightened 
Robinson, and feel wc the quickening influence of 
the same holy zeal for the advancement of our people 
in light, grace, and virtue ? All these questions are too 
easily answered. 

Since the convulsive struggle for independence, 
our countrymen have been withdrawn from the rough 
school of adversity, in which our fathers were im- 
proved. It is too evident to admit of question that 
in the soft season of peace, we have revolted from our 
national Friend and Patron. The evidences of this 
are the abounding vices of profaneness and intem- 
perance; infidelity, and neglect of his word, his wor- 
ship, and ordinances ; which vices and neglect were 
esteemed scandalous by our forefathers ; and infideli- 
ty was not named among them. It must not be dis- 
guised that we already begin to feel the frown of 
Providence in the check of our prosperity ; in the 
divisions of the people, in the distraction of our coun- 
sels, in the exhausted state of our treasury, in the de- 
fenceless state of our coasts, and in the omens of 
WAR. The world is become a theatre of the fearful 



25 

judgments of God ; and the storm, which has long 
broken disastrously upon Europe, seems gathering 
towards the American coasts. May God in mercy 
avert it. In all events, let us pray devoutly with 
king Solomon — The Lord our God be with usj as he 
was with our fathers ; let him not leave us nor for- 
sake us ; that he may incline our hearts unto him^ to 
walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, 
and his statutes, and his Judg??ie?its, xvhich he com- 
inanded our fathers. 



APPENDIX. 



NOTE I. 

SOME facts in the history of New-England show that our 
excellent ancestors had not, by the things they suffered, fully 
learned the lesson of toleration ; it would have been strange 
if they had, as they were almost without example of it in Eu- 
rope, However the valedictory address of Mr. Robinson to 
that part of his flock, which came to America, and the early 
character of the Plymouth church are evidences of Catholi- 
cism without parallel in their day. It is true they expelled 
Oldham and Lyford ; but it was for civil off'ences, or for the 
heresy of a factious and disorganizing spirit and conduct ; 
not for diversity of opinions, in regard to doctrines or cere- 
monies. 



26 APPENDIX. 

NOTE II. 

Extract of a letter sent from England to the colony at Ply- 
mouth in 1623. 

" Let it not be grievous to you that you have been instru- 
ments to break the ice for others, who come after with less 
difficulty ; the honour shall be yours to the world's end : we 
bear you always in our breasts, and our hearty affection is to- 
wards you all, as are the hearts of hundreds more, which 
never saw your faces, who doubtless pray your safety as their 
own." Prince's J^eW'England Chronology ^ p. 139. 

* NOTE III. 

It is a subject of surprize that our forefathers have been 
so often reproached with the scheme of a community of 
goods, as if it resulted from enthusiasm and an ill judged im- 
itation of the first Christians. A respectable anonymous an- 
notator upon Mr. Cushman's discourse apologizes for the pil- 
grims ; and even Dr. Robinson, with a sarcastick severity,* 
not to be expected from a historian of his candour and intel- 
ligence, has fallen into this palpable error ; for such I think it 
will appear. Recurrence to the history of the agreement be- 
tween the London merchants and the Leyden adventurers will 
discover the authors of that scheme. 

In the Spring of 1620, Mr. Weston went over to Leyden, 
where the people entered into articles of agreement with him 
for shipping and money to assist in their transportation to 
America. The agreement was of the nature of a partnership 
in business, for the term of seve7i years ; the gains to be di- 
vided between the planters in America and the adventurers 
in London, according to their respective shares ; ten pounds 
furnished in goods or money, or a person above sixteen years 
of age, being accounted as the price of a share. As a reason- 
able encouragement however to the emigrants, it was provid- 
ed that, at the end of the seven years, the houses and lands 
should be theirs without division ; and that tliey should be al- 

* History of Virginia arift >.<-« -I'^iiglaml, i>a!»c1.i(>. 



VS 152 



APPENDIX. 27 

lowed, in the mean time, two days of the week for their oiim 
emfiloyment . This surely looks like making provision for the 
enjoyment of private property. 

But when Cushman and Carver were come to London 
to receive the money and to provide for the voyage, they 
found the merchants more penurious and severe, than Wes- 
ton himself, Avhose conduct on this and subsequent occasions 
was sufficiently selfish. In short, they ultimately refused to 
advance the money, except upon these material alterations 
in the articles of compact. — That the whole time of the plant- 
ers should be employed for the company ; and " That at the 
end of the seven years.) the capital and profits^ viz. the houses, 
lands, goods, and chattels be equally divided among the adven- 
turers."* These terms were not " relished" by the pilgrims, 
but they finally consented to them. 

From these facts it is evident that the people at Leyden 
were cool and prudent in this negotiation ; proposed better 
terms than they could obtain ; obtained the best that they 
could ; and endeavoured to provide for the immediate acquisi- 
tion and enjoyment of private property. But, The destruc- 
tion of the floor is their poverty. They were obliged to sub-r 
mit to conditions, which amounted to the selling of them- 
selves for their passage, or to abandon their enterprize. 

Thus the community of goods in the Plymouth colony re- 
sulted not from the enthusiasm of the planters, but from the 
avarice and narrow policy of the London adventurers. Of 
consequence, the submission of the pilgrims to these terms, 
as it was necessary to their noble enterprize, is a further 
mark of their Christian magnanimity, which has not been 
sufficiently admired. 

Community of goods is the term by which this paitnership 
is stigmatized. If by the phrase is intended the exclusion of 
all idea of private property, it is wholly erroneous ; it was 
property undivided, property held jointly ; in the ultimate di- 
vision of which Bradford, Winslow, AUerton were probably 

* Sic tiie uliole agreement in Belknap's Atner. Biog;. \o;. IT. )). J81, '2, kr. 



28 APPENDIX. 

to receive a dozen shares each, while others should receive 
but one. Hence when the colony found difficulty in their 
connection with European partners, five of the number were 
sufficiently responsible, with the privilege of the trade of the 
colony, to liquidate their claim- 




































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